Lead pencil



March 18,i 1930. E. F. PIERCE Er AL LEAD PENCIL Original Filed Dec; 15. 1922 llli/ll llflllzllrlllzlllltrllllvgail all!! I /ff fr Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED STATI-:s PATENT OFFICE FVPIERCE AND JOHN DAVID DICKINSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; CENTRAL TRUST` COMPANY OF ILLINOIS,l ADMINISTRATOR OF vSAID EARL F. PIERCE, DE- QCEASED, ASSIGNOR T FLORENCE E. yPIERCE Y LEAD PENCIL Application ined December 13,Y 1922, serial Nb'. 606,581.

Our invention relates to improvements in lead pencils and is particularly concerned with improvements in lead pencils of the refillable type. y

The objects of our invention are:

First: To providea leadpencil of the refillable'type comprisingl means for holding a plurality 'of lea'ds,`1neans for expelling` a lead from one end of said pencil, and means forlc'onveniently supplying a new lead to said lead expelling means when the preceding lead has been substantially used up Second: To provide a pencil of the character described," comprising a magazine which willy hold a plurality of pencil leads, kand means for easily and quickly transferring the leads, one at a time, from said magazine to. said lead expelling means;l

Third: To provide a. pencil such as described, in which the magazine is in the form of a cartridge which can be easily and quickly inserted in and removed from the pencil barrel;

Fourth: fTo provide a new'article of manufacture comprising a cartridge containing a plurality of pencil leads';v

Fifth: To provide a cartridge of the chary acter described, comprising means for holding the leads' in proper position to expedite the insertion of the cartridge inthe pencil; SixthzfTo `providel a lead pencil such as described above, comprising meansfor automatically displacing the lead retaining means from the cartridge as the'latter is inserted in the pencil;

Seventh: To providea lead pencil coin prising a; lead guiding tube, a klead expelling rod mbuiitedto'slide in said lead guiding tubefor the purpose of expelling the lead therefrom, the said lead expelling rod being provided with a nut forfco-acting with internal threads in the barrel ofthe pencil whereby the lead can be gradually expelled' there# from, and v'means for easily and-quickly re- ""tracting said lead expelling tube to its vinitial position; and i Eighth: To provide a lead pencil' comprisinguJ lead guiding tubehaving a lateral-enfor expelling the'lead from said lead guid K pencil comprises the usual barrel 10,

lper end of which is internally threaded as tube. 'The lower Renewed March 9, 1929.

ing tube, and means for simultaneously opening said closure to permit the entrance of the lead into said guiding tube and retracting said lead expelling rod to its initial position.

The above and other objects of our invention will appear as this description progresses, reference being had panying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved lead pencil; 4

VFigure 2 is a central longitudinal section therethrough Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through one of the elements of ourimproved pencil;

Figure 4 is a similar view through the lead g guiding tube;

Figures 5 and 6 are transverse sections taken on lines 5 5, and 6-6 of Figure 4;;v

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are transverse sections taken on lines 7 7, 8-,8 and 9.-9 respectively of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section through the cartridge forming a part of our invention; andk Figure 11 is an end view of the cartridge. Throughout the several views, similar reference characters will be used for referring to similar parts.

Referring to the drawings, our improved the upshown at 11, and the lower end of which is provided with the usual guiding point lf2, which is connected with the lower end of the barrel by means of the screw threaded con-V to the accomnection 13. The lower end of the barrel is j counterbored slightly to provide a shoulder 14 against which the disk 15 rests.

Projecting downwardly from the disk 15 and rigidly secured thereto is the lead guiding tube 16 which is preferably located centrally of the barrel and has a longitudinally extending slot 17, formed in one side thereof, this slot being slightly longer than the lead which is` to be received by the lead guiding end of the lead guiding tube lprojects into a counterbore 18, formed in the upper end of the lead guiding point 12. trance, a gate for closing said'entrance, a rod For expelling the leads from the lead guiding tube 16 we provide the lead expelling rod tothe free ends of each of the spring leaves,

or extensions 20 and is adapted to engage the internal threads of the barrel.

A bifurcated rod comprising the two bifurcations 22, which are connected atftheir top and bottom ends by the cylindrical sections 23 and 24 respectively, is slidably mounted in the barrel and in a collar 25 secured in the upper end of the barrel 10. V'The bifurcations of this rod pass between the two nut segments 21 and on opposite sides of the lead expelling rod 19.

A cup-shaped member 26 is securedto the upper or outer end of the bifurcated rodY which serves the double purpose of holding an eraser 27 and forming a handle whereby the bifurcated rod can be rotated.v This cup is secured to the adjacent end of the bifurcated rod by means of the screw 28. Ifl desired, a suitable cap 29 may be provided for this cup-shaped handle. A clip 30 may be secured to the upper end of the pencil, in the manner shown, if so desired.

From the above description it will be clear that when the bifurcated rod is rotated by.

means of its operating handle, the sides of its bifurcations will engage the edgesofthe leaf springs or extensions 20, and that in this manner the nut segments can be rotated either to advance or retract the lead expelling.

rod 19 to adjust the lead as may be desired.,` To provide means for easily and quick-ly retracting the lead expelling rod 19 when it has `been actuated to its lowermost position,

we secure a ring 31 to the lower end ofthe bifurcated rod. The upper end ofthis ring has a tapered bore 32 formed therein, which provides cam faces for engaging the curvedA ortions of the leaf springs 20 when the ifurcated rod is pulled outwardly and bending them inwardly so as to disengage thenutl segments 21 from the threads 11. By this means all that is necessary to retractthe lead expelling rod 19 is to graspthe cup shaped handle 26 and pull it outwardly. The movement of the bifurcated rod will cause a disengagement of the nut segments from the threads and then if the movement `of the bifurcated rod is continued the lead expelling rod 19-can be withdrawn from the lead expelling tube to the full limit of its movement. Upon pushing inwardly on the bifurcated rod, the cam ringy 31 will disengage the leaf springs 20 and permit the nut .-segments 21 to again engage the threads 11.

In Figures 2, 8, 9 and 10 we have illustrated the construction of a magazine or..

cartridge which comprises a tubular member 33, which is split longitudinally and provided with the longitudinally extending `1nturned flange 34, the upper end of which projects beyond tlie inturned flangeV at this end.v Pencil leads 36 canv be filled?y into this magazine and held in their proper position adjacent to the walls of the magazine by meansofl theplug 37;; which is inserted; in` the lower open end 0f the-magazine. and is provided with a longitudinally extending slot for receiving the flange 34. The outer end of this plug is provided with a head 38 which prevents the leads Afrom escaping from the magazine. To insert the cartridge thus formed into the pencil, where it will function as amagazine, the leady guiding point 12 is. unscrewed from the barrel of thel pencil;l and the upper lend of the cartridge is I'iositionedl so that the opening therenlwillregister with the end of the` lead, guiding.. tube. 16. The tubular. member is then.. pushed inwardly whereuponthe end offthelead guiding, tube will displace the plug 37 from thejcartridge, thus serving to holdthe leads in theirprop'e'r.` position while the tubular member and` its., contained leads4 are,V being inserted.4 intov the. pencil barrel. The` point-v 12,Y can thenbereplaced. It willfbe knoted thatthelower side. of the disk 15-is provided witha-transversely extending. slott() for receiving. they upperA end of theI flangel34so as to holdthe, magazine in proper relation to. theslotplinthe lead guiding,tube.

For the purposeof'holding alead in the lead guiding tu, so asto enable.V it. tol be,

properlyexpelled therefrom Aby the, rod .19.,We provide a gate 41 which forms an extensionUJ of the bifurwtefled .and is -.Slidably mounted in f theslot 17 felulev in.l theleadgendn tube.A The lower endpfthisgateis taper-edf` as `shown at 42,7. so. as e. to,make",itimpossible for the lower end oftheate tn .engag'e ,the

end of anyone of the lea ",sinjthe magazine.

.andthl'ls'preve'nttheclosingof thegate." The..

disk 15 is suitably,slcxtted,l as shownat 43 to permit the. assageuof the gatel 41,

Fro'mthe above description, itwill beseen that all that is .necessarysto ydepto .reload the.. pencil' after a lead has een used to sucheny extent that the rod 19 .can no longer` expel it from the` point.Y 12 is. to .holdjthe ,pencill in. v a,I horizontal position, and pull outwardlyupom the handle QG-therebyeretrleting, thelead erf. pelling rod 19. from the, tube and ,removing the 'gate 4.1 frenan..the loneit.udnffll,` Slot in.. the lead receivingtube. The pencilisthem rotated clockwise (Fig. .4.) .acompleteirevolu-u tion which will yinsure one, of the-leadsdrop.. ping through. the slot 17,.'into. the lead .gu-idf,

ing tube. It will, of course, be `under,stood` that'whenthe leads are in Aa kcertain .position it will no t be necessary toi rotate the pencil through, avcomplete revolutionybut1 this may .Y bev den@ t0.- .insilte .the .'.pr-operfledngrof the pencil irrespective of the number of leads contained inthe magazine and the position of the lead guiding flange 34. After the pencil has been rotated as explained above, the bifurcated rod is-returned to its initial position, thus leaving the lead expelling rod in its initial position and simultaneously closing the slot 17. The handle .26 can then be manipulated to turn the bifurcated rod and the nut segments Q1 soas to project the lead the desired distance from the point 19. where` upon the pencil is ready for use.

`While We havedescribed the details of construction of the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be'clearly understood that our invention is not limited to these details of construction but is capable of other adaptations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim is:

l. A lead pencil comprising a barrel having a lead guiding tube centrally mounted in one end thereof, the opposite end of said barrel being internally threaded, said tube having a lead receiving slot extending longitudinally thereof, a lead expelling rod slidably mounted in said barrel and having its lower end extending into said tube, a pair of spring projections extending outwardly from the opposite end of said rod, a nut segment secured to the outer ends of each of said spring extensions for engaging the threads in said barrel, a. bifurcated rod slidably mounted in the upper end of said barrel, the bifurcations of said rod passing between said nut segments and on opposite sides of said lead expelling rod, an operating handle secured to the upper end of said bifurcated rod, a. cam ring secured to the opposite end of said bifurcated rod for engaging said spring extensions to disengage said nut segments from said threads, a gate extending from said bifurcated rod for closing said lead receiving slot, and a magazine surrounding said tube for holding a plurality of leads and communicating with the slot in said tube.

2. A lead pencil comprising a barrel having a lead guiding tube mounted in one end thereof, the opposite end of said barrel being I internally threaded, said tube having a lead receiving slot extending longitudinally thereof, a lead expelling rod slidably mounted in said barrel and having its lower end extending into said tube, a spring projection extending outwardly from the opposite end of said rod, a nut segment secured to the outer end of said spring extension for engaging the threads in said barrel, a second rod slidably mounted in the upper end of said barrel eccentrically of said lead expelling rod, an operating handle secured to the upper end of said second rod, a cam secured to the opposite end of said second rod for engaging said spring extension to disengage said nut segment from said threads, a gate extending from said second rod for closing said lead receiving slot, and a magazine surrounding said tube communicating with the slot in said tube.

3. A lead pencil comprising a barrel, the upper end of which is internally screw threaded, a lead guiding tube mounted in the other end of said barrel and having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, a lead expelling rod slidably mounted in said barrel and having one end extending into said lead guiding tube, a nutsegment secured to the other end of said lead expelling rod, a second rod slidably mounted in the upper end of said pencil, means whereby said second rod can be reciprocated in said barrel, means carried by said rod for disengaging said nut segment from said threads, and a gate carried by the lower end of said rod for closing said slot.

4. A lead pencil comprising a barrel, the upper end of which is internally screw threaded, a lead guiding tube mounted in the other end of said barrel and having a longii tudinally extending slot formed in one side thereof, a lead expelling rod having one end extending into said lead guiding tube, a nut segment secured to. the other end of said lead expelling tube, a gate for closing the slot in said tube, and common means for simultaneously opening said gate and retracting said lead expelling rod from said tube, there being a lost motion connection between said lead expelling rod and said last-named means 100 to permit said last-named means to be returned to its initial position without moving said lead expelling rod.

A lead pencil comprising a barrel, the upper end of which is -internally screw threaded, a lead guiding tube mounted in the other end of said barrel and having a longitudinally extending slot formed in one side thereof, a lead expelling rod having one end extending into said lead guiding tube, a nut segment secured to the other end of said lead expelling tube, a gate for closing the slot in said tube, and means for simultaneously opening said gate and retracting said lead expelling rod from said tube.

6. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube, having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, a magazine surrounding said lead guiding tube and communicating therewith, a gate for closing said slot, and means whereby said gate can be opened and closed.

7. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, a magazine surrounding said lead guiding tube and communicating therewith, a gate for closing said slot, and means fo-r moving said gate longitudinally to either open orV close said slot.

izo

. 8. A1 pencil comprising a Abarreha lead guiding tube positioned therein, a lead carrying cartridge surrounding the guide tube but detachable therefrom as a unit, a guide flange formed in the cartridge, and a side opening in the guiding tube alined with the guide flange, interlocking means on the cartridge and on the guide tube for holding the guide flange and said side opening in alinement and a plunger for adjustably advancing the lead in the guide tube.

9. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube having a longitudinally extending slot therein, lead containing means around said tube communicating therewith, closing means for said slot and means for actuating said closing means.

10. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube having a longitudinally extending slot therein, lead containing means around said tube communicating therewith, a flange on said containing means extending along said slot for directing supply leads into said tube through said slot, closing means for said slot and means for actuating said closing means.

11. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube having a longitudinally extending slot therein, lead containing means around said tube communicating therewith, guiding means cooperatively associated with said slot for directing supply leads into said tube and closing means for said slot.

12. In a lead pencil a lead guidingtube having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a lead supply compartment about said tube communicating therewith, lead guiding means extending across said compartment in a fixed position relative to said slot for directing leads thereinto and closing means for said slot.

13. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a lead supply compartment about said tube communicating therewith, lead guiding means extending across said compartment in a. fixed position relative to said slot for directing leads thereinto, closing means for said slot and means for reciprocating said closing means into and out of operative position.

14. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube having a slot extending longitudinally thereof for the reception of supply leads, removable lead supply magazine surrounding said lead guiding tube and communicating therewith, closing means for said slot and a flange on said magazine cooperatively associated with said slot arranged to obstruct a portion of said magazine and direct leads into said slot.

15. In a lead pencil a lead guiding tube having a slot extending longitudinally thereof for the reception of supply leads, removable lead supply magazine surrounding said lead guiding tube and communicating therewith, a flange on said magazine cooperatively associated with said slot arranged to obstruct a portion of said magazine and direct leads into said slot anda gate adapted to fit within said slot for closin the same.

16. In a lead penci a lead guiding tube having a slot extendin longitudinally thereof for the reception ot supply leads, removable lead supply magazine surrounding said lead guiding tube and communicating. therewith, a flange on said magazine cooperatively associated with said slot arranged to obstruct a portion of said magazine and direct leads into said slot, closing means for said slot and means for reciprocating said closing means into and out of operative position.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 7th day of December, 1922.

EARL F. PIERCE. JOHN DAVID DICKINSON. 

